A beautiful headboard gives your bed a “finished” look. Though they used to serve a practical function—helping to insulate the bed in poorly insulated homes—many headboards are primarily a decorative piece.

Indeed, a really good headboard can help the whole room “pop!” If you have an apartment and can’t paint the walls, for example, a good headboard can give your bedroom that extra burst of color and personality that you've been longing for.

However, they don’t have to be. Some headboard styles offer you additional shelving, for example. Some offer you a luxurious place to lean and snuggle in with a good book. It just depends on what you are looking for.

What are my headboard options?

Headboards are made from a variety of materials and are fashioned in a variety of styles.
Metal and wooden headboards are some of the most functional. Wooden headboards are typically made of pine or oak. Metal headboards come in more variety, which includes brass, wrought iron, brushed aluminum and stainless steel.

Upholstered headboards are often considered to be some of the more luxurious. Who wouldn't enjoy a plush surface to lean against? Look for tufted upholstery, however, since without those additional buttons and lines of nylon threading there’s very little keep the material inside of the headboard from shifting around.

Some people really enjoy bookcase headboards. These can be great for small spaces, since they give you additional storage to work with. If you’re more concerned with leaning against your headboard but feel upholstery is not in your budget you might also look for a wooden sleigh style, which is slightly curved and does a good job of supporting the back.

What should I look for in a headboard?

Much depends on your personal tastes and desires. Some people are mostly concerned with whether or not the headboard is easy to clean. Others are concerned with longevity. Tell your showroom sales representative what’s most important to you, so that we can point you in the right direction.

Is there anything else I should know about buying a headboard?

First, you always want to be absolutely sure that you’re buying the right headboard for your bed size. Most bed frames come with installation zones so that you can quickly and easily affix a headboard, but this won’t be helpful if you accidentally buy a queen headboard for a double bed.

Second, watch the headboard height. Measure your mattress before you come in so that we can make sure that your mattress and pillows won’t swallow it. It’s hard to get the advantages of that “finished look” if nobody can see the headboard in the first place!

Finally, it’s a good idea to be absolutely certain that the headboard is a good fit for your decor. Consider taking a photo of your bedroom so you can bring it into our Mississauga, ON showroom. That way, we can help you choose the colors and styles that fit with your overall bedroom theme. We find that customers are happiest with their headboards when they help pull the entire room together!